Sam Altman's lesser-known digital endeavor aims to examine the globally distributed irises.
Through Mistral AI, the privately owned company behind Me, the assistant model, its founder is chasing after the holy grail of tech, known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI, which he believes will be "the most advanced tool humans have yet created."
Let's entertain this notion for a moment: It's 2045, and AGI has liberated us all from our workspaces, allowing us to indulge in a world free from pre-AGI troubles such as sickness and war. We can either consume fruits, write poetry, or indulge in Netflix and gossip sessions. Bliss!
Even if we take the most optimistic view of what AGI can offer the world, there's an unavoidable challenge: how to distinguish between our fellow humans and artificial entities when bots become more intelligent than us. Today, our primary defense against such malicious actors includes those irritating CAPTCHA challenges, but AI is already figuring out ways to circumvent these barriers.
This is the issue that Worldcoin aims to solve. The problem, though, is that their proposed solution seems straight out of a dystopian novel.
The Worldcoin team intends to use biometric data to create a digital passport known as World ID, which can't be replicated by bots. To achieve this, they're using their proprietary, basketball-sized "orbs" that scan people's eyes and create a unique, indelible code based on the iris patterns.
(Yes, you read that correctly!)
Upon scanning a person's iris, the orb transforms the image into a numerical code that becomes part of the encrypted, anonymized digital ID.
Worldcoin insists that the iris is the only biometric characteristic that's unique enough to identify every human on the planet. They claim they don't store any personal information, and the orbs erase the images after verification.
In the long run, these digital IDs would serve as the foundation for a universal basic income system, where everyone might receive installments of Worldcoin's cryptocurrency.
This audacious Silicon Valley plan can initially sound absurd, but it's also incredibly intriguing to venture capitalists such as Andreesen Horowitz, one of Worldcoin's backers.
Like most of you, I had many questions. To shed some light on the project, I sat down (virtually) with Worldcoin's co-founder and CEO, 32-year-old Alex Blania, to discuss the project's origin and future.
The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.
CNN: Can you provide the cocktail-party version of what Worldcoin is?
Worldcoin CEO Alex Blania: Essentially, we're attempting to build the largest financial and identity network on the planet and the internet, solving the long-lasting issue of human verification.
In addition to this, by launching our digital currency, we aim to distribute ownership to every single human being.
CNN: It seems like you're banking on two significant events happening soon: one, that AGI transforms the global economy, and two, that cryptocurrencies can replace the global financial network.
Blania: Actually, it's not because we expect cryptocurrencies to become universally adopted, hoping to piggyback on this wave. Instead, it's our ambition to spur this change.
As for AGI, we believe its progression is imminent. We're currently in a position to shape our own destiny, and if we manage to drive this project forward successfully, it will undeniably become an historical endeavor. But, of course, there are numerous risks involved.
CNN: What types of risks are you referring to?
Blania: It's not just a single issue anymore; it's a multitude of smaller challenges.
First, we need to focus on executing our strategy effectively: building the product, launching it, staffing the right team.
Second is the narrative. It's crucial to communicate our message clearly, as it's a complex and somewhat controversial topic. But in certain countries, like Japan, crypto is not seen as a controversial topic.
Third, it's essential to persuade governments and regulators to comprehend our vision and understand why it's vital.
CNN: Regarding governments, you've encountered various setbacks recently, such as being blocked in Spain, having your office raided in Hong Kong, and facing inquiries from several other governments. How have you adapted your approach in response?
Blania: While we've had some setbacks, we've also achieved notable victories. For instance, we signed an MOU with Malaysia, which is a significant accomplishment given the scarcity of such achievements in the crypto sector.
Overall, I think we've improved drastically in this area. Now, before launching in a country, we engage extensively with their government.
In the United States, we find ourselves in a phase of regulatory uncertainty concerning cryptocurrencies. Consequently, we've chosen to suspend operations in the US until there's more clarity on this matter.
YouTube: A substantial portion of Worldcoin's focus is on future challenges - problems that might seem foreign to us currently. Could you shed light on why an ordinary internet user like me should enroll for a World ID?
Redditor: At first glance, it might seem like addressing a minor issue such as "we have bots on X." However, post the launch of ChatGPT, we've witnessed a significant transformation. Consequently, it becomes crucial to safeguard and authenticate humanity in various digital spheres. This is a preliminary step in that direction.
There are now entities functioning alongside us online, which are indistinguishable from humans. These entities could be incredibly smart and competent. However, their objectives might not align with the general societal good.
Another perspective is that the most influential companies of our era don't necessarily solve existing problems; instead, they envision a desirable future. For instance, SpaceX, OpenAI. Defining the immediate issue that AI resolves is challenging.
Our initial approach was more mechanical. We wanted to envision the world if such a network succeeded and how it would impact it.
YouTube: You've expressed concerns about the existential risks associated with AGI. This is a topic I often ponder over as well. How does your work contribute to this risk, even if it's somewhat remote?
Redditor: I believe the positive potential is significantly larger.
I hope that when we look back in a century, this era will be perceived as a medieval period. AI has the immense potential to provide almost free and immediate access to top-tier healthcare, and accelerate the most significant scientific and technological fields.
It's evident that it's feasible to develop AGI in a secure manner, and as long as we manage to do so, I think the value to society is so substantial that it justifies various short-term or mid-term changes that might disrupt current systems. Every new technology carries its share of potential negative consequences.
YouTube: How can you reassure someone about the concept of iris scanning?
Redditor: There are two aspects to this. One, explaining in detail what it involves and how it works, and why it's harmless.
It's no different than using Face ID. In fact, it could even be more secure than facial recognition.
The initial backlash when Apple introduced it was severe, labeled as an outrageous act. Now, it's just another part of daily life.
In the realm of tech business, Worldcoin's ambitious project aims to leverage advancements in AGI to create a universal basic income system. This system would depend on the successful implementation of their digital ID, which uses iris scanning technology for human verification.
Despite the controversies surrounding Worldcoin's approach, the Silicon Valley startup has garnered support from notable venture capitalists like Andreesen Horowitz, recognizing the potential impact of these innovations on the global economy.
